Activated pancreatic stellate cells inhibit NK cell function in the human pancreatic cancer microenvironment

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC)is one the most malignant cancers and has been shown to have increasing morbidity and mortality in recent years.1 Since PDAC is always diagnosed at an advanced stage,only a few patients are suitable for surgical resection.Most patients who receive chemotherapy or radiotherapy targeting pancreatic cancer do not significantly benefit from these treatments.2 Accumulating evidence has indicated that the microenvironment composed of pancreatic cancer cells and other cell types is critical in regulating tumor progression,which could serve as a therapeutic target for PDAC.